...no technical knowledge required

• Select an Internet Service Provider (ISP) who provides the option of ISP-filtered access.

• Put any computer with Internet access in a public area of the house - not in a bedroom or den.

• Spend time on the Internet with your child, even if you are only an interested learner - you may be surprised how much you enjoy it.

• Encourage kids to send e-mail to friends.  It's a fun part of the Internet, and reduces the inclination to get involved in e-mail with strangers.

• Share an e-mail account with your children so you can oversee their e-mail.

• Encourage your children to bring anything questionable to your attention - and be on their side when they do.

• Let your children know they should not send pictures of themselves to anyone they meet online.

• Let your children know not to fill out questionnaires they find on the Internet without your advance permission.

• Caution your children not to give out personal information such as name, address, telephone number or school name to anyone on the Net.

• Do not permit fact-to-face meetings with people met on the Net.

• Let your children know not to respond to any belligerent or suggestive contact or anything that makes them uncomfortable - and to let you know if anything like that happens.

• Don't miss the significance of hidden diskettes, CD's, DVD's or Flash Drives - pornography use tends to be secretive.

• Take time to become educated about the Internet - it's an investment in the safety and health of your children

• Above all - communicate.